Spring cover, spring sleeve, and lubricator



Sept. 2, 1930.v

E. F, HARTZELL.

SPRING COVER, SPRING SLEEVE, AND LUBRICATOR Filed slept. 15, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheen- Meu ATTQNEYS.

INVENTOR. 0x1/ F' Har Sept. 2, 1930. E. F. HARTZELI.

SPRING SLEEVE, AND L'UBRICATOR SPRING COVER,

Filed Sept. l5, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 xga/- ATTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 2, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EARL F. HARTZELL, OF CUYAHOGA FALLS, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF FORT-Y -NINE PER CENT TO GUSTAVE H. LANDWEHR, OF AKRON, OHIO SPRING COVER, SPRING SLEEVE, AND LUBRICATOR Applicat n filed September 15, 1927. Serial No. 219,675.

This invention relates to a spring cover, spring sleeve and lubricator for use on the springs of vehicles, such as motor vehicles.

The object of the invention is the production of an eiiicient, durable and easily applied metallic cover and lubricating device or apparatus for springs, such as are found on motor vehicles.

Another object of the invention is the production of a sectional cover or sleeve for springs, which is dust and dirt proof and which easily accommodates itself to the movement of the spring without impairing its eiicien'ey or'limiting its period of service.

V A still further object of the invention is the construction of a sleeve-like lubricator for springs of the laminated type, which lubricator is composed of a plurality of jointed sections; which sections have a decided longitudinal movement, by reason of their peculiar structure, yet are sealed so elliciently that a considerable pound pressure can be exerted interiorly of the casing or lubricator without any leak occurring, which also insures against any foreign substances entering the lubricator from the outside.

This application discloses certain improvements over Vmy prior United States Patent No. 1,639,942, issued Aug. 23, 1927.

With the Jforegoing and other objects in view, my invention comprises certain novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings: f f

Figure 1 is a perspective view, partly in section, of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2 2, Figure 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows. v

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of my apparatus.

spective view of the lubricating device.

l Figure 10 is a sectional view taken on line 1010, Figure 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, 1 designates a sleeve or lubricator composed of a plurality of sections 2. The ends of the sections are provided with a plurality of folds, or what can be called a double folded seam 3 (Fig. 2), of suflicient size to allow considerable longitudinal movement Vat the inner fold of each fianged end, as

shown by dotted lines A (Fig. V2). This peculiar plural or double fold of the interlocking flanged edges of the sections produces a very eflicient structure, because an absolutely tight seal is formed, since I have found from actual experience that subjecting the interior of the apparatus to a severe water test, no leak will occur at the jointed edges of the section constituted by said plural and double fold of the interlocking flanged edges. The casing or sleeve 1 is made of any suitable malleable or bendable sheet metal with the sections and their double seamed or flanged edges placed together while the sections of the casing or sleeve are in a substantially flat position, then the entire casing may be bent or otherwise formed around the spring, during the assembling of the apparatus on the vehicle.

Each section 2 is formed from a blank 4 that constitutes the body of each unit or section. The ends of body i (Fig. 7) are notched at 5 to facilitate folding; the blank is folded on the dotted lines shown in Figure 7 the body 4 is provided with longitudinally extending flanges G along its lower edges. Each flange G is provided with a depending elongated rib 7, for the purpose hereinafter described.

Each unit or section 2 includes a bottoni plate 8. Each bottom plate is provided with longitudinally extending flanges 9 at its side edges. Each liange is provided with an inwardly extending elongated rib 10, which., when the anges are folded, register with an elongated socket 11. Each bottom plate is provided with a tongue 12 which overlaps the contiguous bottom plate, as shown in Figure 2. rlhese bottom plates have a corresponding longitudinal movei'nent with the bodies -t of the sections, so that the entire sleeve or lubricator can flex or bend with the spring upon which it is mounted.

As before explained, the bodies i of the sections are united through the slidable plural or double seam, then this sectional sleeve is folded or bent around the top and sides of the spring, with the ribbed flanges extending downwardly and outwardly, whereupon the folded bottom plates as shown in Figure G are slid on the flanges 6, and then the elongated ribs 7 and 10, as well as sockets 11 are registering, whereupon the operator uses a suitable tool or other means, t-o compress the flanges, with their ribbed and socket structure, tightly together, as shown in Figure 4, producing a very secure and rigid structure in each individual unit or section, because its body and base plate will be efiiciently locked 'or fastened together. It will be understood that the depending ribs 7 on each body form corresponding sockets for the depending ribs 10 on the flan ees 9 of each base plate 8, whereby the ribs 10 extend into sockets constituted by the stamping in of the depending ribs 7, and depending ribs 7 extend into the sockets 11 of the base plate, all being formed during the stamping process, producing the individual parts of each section, towit: the body 4; andthe base plate.

rlhe end sections B and C are what might be called saddle section and shackle section, respectively. rlhese sections are each provided around their entire outer edge with an inwardly extending flange 18, within which are securely clamped strips of fabric such as felt 1l. Then the apparatus in position upon a spring, these strips of felt 14 form on three surfaces top and two sides) of the spring a tight joint against leakage -or seepage in either direction.

My lubricating device 15, clearly shown in Figure 5, comprises an elongated sheet or strip of metal that has tongues 16 at its ends. .The lubricating device has along its longitudinal :edges inwardly extending-flanges 17.

Over the bottom face of the metal strip is tightly stretched a piece of fabric, such as felt; this piece of fabric is brought up around and over the longitudinally extending flanges 17 and then its edges are clamped or held under said flanges. Resting upon the top of the metal strip of lubricating device 15 and near its ends are transverse pieces 18 preferably of felt. The fabric or felt covered flanged edges of the lubricating device, together with the transverse strips 18 constitute a lubricant reservoir 19. A metal plate 2O is fastened to the fabric covered under face of the lubricating device 15; this plate 20 is formed with an internally threaded tit 21 whereby suitable means can be applied thereto for forcing a lubricant into the reservoi r 19, while it is against the bottom of a spring, and in this way, the entire apparatus, as well as the contained portion of the spring, is supplied with a suitable lubricant. A screw threaded plug 22 is preferably used for closing this hollow threaded tit or projection 21. lVhen the lubricating device 15 is assembled with the other parts of the apparatus, the tongues 16 are bent around back upon the bottom plates, shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, with sufficient space at D to allow the sections to expanth by reason of their longitudinal sliding movement caused by the action of the spring upon which the apparatus is mounted.

rllhe internally threaded tit or extension 21 depends through a suitable, registering aperture in one of the bottom plates Figs. 1 and 8).

By reason of the novel construction of flanges 1.3 and 17 and the placing and holding of the different pieces or strips of felt thereby, it will be understood that when my apparatus is fully assembled upon a spring, both endsthe saddle end B and the shackle end C-are securely sealed, against a lubricant passing out at the ends, and any foreign substances or rain passing into the apparatus.

The elongated metal strip of the lubricating device 15 being covered by the fabric throughout its bottom face, affords excellent means for sealing the bottom plates against any lubricant being discharged from the bottom of the apparatus, as well as preventing any foreign substances entering the apparatus through the bottom thereof. The fabric covered flanged edges of the lubricating device press tightly against the sides of the sections further assisting in sealing the apparatus. Therefore, it will be understood that I have produced a sectional sleeve or casing, the sections of which are adapted to have longitudinal movement, one upon the other, and the bottom of the sectional sleeve is closed by a filler device constituted by the bottom plates 8 and the lubricating device 15.

lVhile I have described the preferred embodiment of my invention and illustrated the tom plate provided with sockets, and said flanges of the bottom plate provided with ribs adapted to fit the sockets of the flanges of each section and the ribs of said flanges of the sections adapted to t the sockets of the bottom plate when all are tightly pressed together.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a casing provided at its ends with i'ianges around part of its edges, fabric held under said flanges, and means provided with fabric at the ends of said casing co-operating with the fabric under the flanges for sealing the casing when mounted on a spring.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a casing provided with inturned flanges at its ends, strips of fabric held in position under said flanges, a lubrieating device in said casing and provided with fabric registering with said strips at the ends whereby the ends of the casing are tightly sealed when mounted upon a spring.

4. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a casing, a lubricating device in said casing, said lubricating device comprising a piece of metal provided with fianges at its side edges, a strip of fabric over the bottom face of said metal and around the flanged edges and under the flanges, and strips of transversely arranged fabric near the ends of said strip of metal and extending under and held in position by said flanges.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a casing, of a lubricating device resting on the bottom of said casing, said lubricating device provided with reservoir means on its upper face, and with a fabric covering all over its under face against the bottom of the casing.

6. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a casing, of a lubrieating device in said casing and resting against the bottom thereof, said lubricating device comprising a fabric sheet or strip en gaging the bottom of the casing, a metallic strip on top of said fabric strip, means permitting a lubricant to pass through the casing, fabric strip and metallic strip, and fabric means on said metallic strip and forming a trough closed at its ends and sides.

7 In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a jointed sectional casing adapted to have longitudinal movement upon a spring, and a metallic strip in said casing and provided at its ends with means for allowing the jointed sections of said casing to have a longitudinal movement with respect to said metallic strip.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiiX my signature.

EARL F. HARTZELL. 

